Free at Last

Before the opening credits roll, Pablo Escoba presents us with an incredible show of power. In the subtlest of ways he told the viewers and Colombian forces alike that he was back.

The early scenes with his family are emotional and touching, but this feeling soon leaves as Pablo attempts to reestablish his dominance, not hiding in the shadows but in plain sight. The way he goes about this is genius. La Quica (Catano) is at the centre of Pablo's revival and while his role is kept brief he is given an incredible scene at the end where he proves he is just as sly as Pablo himself. I hope he is given much more screen time than he was here.

Enemies come thick and fast primarily from forces embarrassed by the failure to contain Escobar. The streets are flooded with soldiers as President Gaviria (Mendez) puts everything he has into the re capture of his great nemesis. Pablo reaches out later in the episode but this season Gaviria isn't interested in any deals.

Trying to navigate these armies are Murphy and Pena (Pascal and Holbrook) who are having to jump through hoops just to dip their toes in the investigation. Meanwhile Murphy has the toughest episode of all juggling the investigation and his marriage. He opens the episode glad that the chase is back on and by the end...not so much.

As if running and empire and avoiding the authorities isn't enough, Pablo must deal with enemies made from last season as Judy Moncada (Umana) plots her revenge for the death of her husband. She lays the ground work for an army of her own. She is enraged as Escoba makes his most shocking appearance yet in the episode and has plans of his own for her retaliation. This only riles her up more and she closes the episode with an ominous warning.

If there was any doubt that season 2 wouldn't be as gripping as the first they are long gone. Pablo is out, the chase is on to find him as he juggles his own agendas and navigated his enemies. Lot's to develop as the season progresses. And the scenes featuring the main man are all must see. The only weak link for me are the two cops, especially Murphy who seemed to get lost in the shuffle this episode and need to break out from their on screen restriction to feature more predominantly.

Great opener, sets the tone of the season nicely and Pablo shines bright as always.